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GSN Review: Brenne French Single Malt Whiskies

Brenne, the only Single Malt in the world to be aged in new French Limousin oak and Cognac casks, brings an entirely new taste profile to the world of Single Malt Whisky. Brenne isn’t trying to be Scotch made in a different country – this is truly a French Whisky.

After her career as a professional ballerina, Allison Parc discovered a passion for food and drink that immersed her in cultures all over the world. Making an effort to visit local markets, wineries, and distilleries in her travels, she developed an appreciation of great taste experiences, especially within her favorite category: whisky. After failing to find many of the “non- traditional” whiskies she discovered abroad in the US, Allison took it into own her hands and started setting up an import/export company for this sole purpose.

While exploring the world whisky scene for something that was focused on “terroir” (being ‘of the earth’), Allison encountered a third generation Cognac producer who had started distilling a unique Single Malt at his farm distillery in the heart of Cognac, France. At that time, a majority of the oldest whisky was around three to four years old in new French Limousin oak barrels. Upon tasting it, Allison immediately knew it was something special. She and the distiller collaborated over a span of almost four years to refine the aging spirit and continue laying down more barrels as each year’s crop of barley was ready to be harvested. A breakthrough occurred when Allison decided to incorporate his previously used Cognac casks in the whisky aging process. This stimulated the whisky in a beautiful way; ultimately creating a new profile within the Single Malt category that became Brenne Whisky.

Brenne Estate Cask (80 proof)Visual: Pale gold.Nose: Soft and fruity with a peach melba nose. Quite dessert-like.Taste: Exceptionally smooth and rounded, with more of the fruit/vanilla flavor.Finish: Long with lingering and alternating waves of wood, malt, wine and a touch of char.Overall: A lovely whisky that sets the standard for wine cask aged whiskies. This one will not disappoint.GSN Rating: A

Brenne Ten: Limited Edition 10 Year Old (80 proof)Visual: Pale gold.Nose: Intense woodiness draping a malty sweetness. Some raspberry notes.Taste: Again, very smooth, but with a sharper edge and a touch more caramel. Very much in the tradition of what you’d expect in a decade old single malt. Hearty.Finish: Long with a dry crispness and warm cask finish.Overall: A very nice whisky that has the feeling of a sunny autumn day.GSN Rating: A-

Blair Frodelius is a professional full-time musician, an award-winning mixologist, USBG Spirits Professional, BarSmarts Live & Wired graduate. Several of his original cocktails can be found in the 75th Anniversary Mr. Boston Official Bartenders Guide, and one inspired by Harry Craddock in the Mixellany publication The Deans of Drink.

Blair Frodelius is a professional full-time musician, an award-winning mixologist, USBG Spirits Professional, BarSmarts Live graduate and member of the Museum of the American Cocktail. Many of his original cocktails can be found in the 75th Anniversary Mr. Boston Official Bartenders Guide.